1 Quadrivio di via Boldini, De Pisis, Mentessi, Previati

Largo Antonioni is the heart of the so-called 'Novecento Quadrilateral' of Ferrara, also known as the 'Rationalist Quarter' or 'Novecento Quadrivio'. In 2012 it was named after the famous film director as a tribute from his city on the centenary of his birth.

2 Boldini Building Complex

C. Savonuzzi (1935-1939)

The construction took place on the area previously occupied by the westernmost part of the men's ward of the Sant'Anna Hospital, founded in 1443 and enlarged in the following centuries. Remains of the pre-existing hospital are preserved in the so-called "Boldini Caves": 15th-century cellars with cross vaults that are still visible and used for cultural events.

3 "G. Frescobaldi" Conservatory of Music

C. Savonuzzi (1935-1937)

It was built by reusing previous building structures belonging to the former Sant'Anna hospital. The large concert hall was based on the volume and layout of the old Sant'Anna church, whose ancient façade with its staircase and pronaos is preserved on the small square of the same name, where Torquato Tasso's cell is also preserved.

4 Natural History Museum

C. Savonuzzi, 1935-1937

The main façade of the Natural History Museum consists of a grey stone portal, which, despite its stylistic simplification is reminiscent of classic composite portals. It includes the large entrance door surmounted by a balcony accessed through the large window above.

5 "Alda Costa" State Primary School

C. Savonuzzi (1932-1933)

The school was built in the early 1930s out of the need to redevelop the area of the former city hospital. The original dedication to the "good king" Umberto I was maintained until after World War II, when it changed to "Alda Costa", as a tribute to the famous anti-fascist leader and teacher. Characteristic is the fluted tower, 37 metres high, which forms the terminal point of the perspective axis of Via Giovanni Boldini.

6 Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali

F. Forlati, A. Berlese (1925-1926)

The client and designers are responsible for the "Venetian" character that distinguishes this imposing building. The Venetian lion and the Generali symbol stand out between the large entrance door and the corner balcony. There are rusticated Vicenza limestone ashlars and open neo-Palladian references, with almost art deco openings, as in the wrought iron decorations on the internal staircase.

7 Torre della Vittoria - Victory Tower

G. Savonuzzi, 1925-1928

Commissioned by Italo Balbo, founder of the Fascio ferrarese, it is a remake of the pre-existing one that partially collapsed in the 16th century earthquake. A public subscription was promoted for its construction. The neo-medieval style tower is 57 metres high. On the top was placed the bell, obtained from the bronzes of Austrian cannons. Supported by six eagles, it is decorated with the coats of arms of the Municipality and the Fascio, the celebratory inscription 'Mentem sanctam, spontaneam Honorem Deo et Patriae liberationem' and images of Ferrara's protectors, St. George and St. Maurelius. In the lower part of the Tower is a shrine dedicated to the people of Ferrara who fell in World War I.

8 Chamber of Commerce

S. Boari (1928-1929)

Designed on the area previously occupied by the city's first cinema, the Edison. It develops on two levels. The entrance is further emphasised by four columns that support the balcony on the first floor, the portal of which is enriched all around by plastic figures: allegories of the Po and Reno rivers. The overall reference is therefore to the models of 16th-century classicism.

9 Ex INA Building

G. Cipriani, F. Forlati, Machin (1934)

The building externally presents a harmonious blend of materials, combining local brick and stone with the 'polychrome strain' of Lake Iseo. The interior is distinguished by rationality and elegance as well as comfort: every detail was taken care of both functionally and decoratively, influencing the selection of materials as well as forms.

10 Central Post Office Building

A. Mazzoni (1927-1929)

This is one of the most interesting buildings in twentieth-century Ferrara. However, when it was inaugurated, it was accused of having been dropped into the context too heavily and without fitting into the local architectural and decorative tradition. As an important urban hub, the building excels not only architecturally, but also in all its decorative elements: from the tall 'Venetian-style' metal lampposts that mark the main entrances, to the decorations two-tone mosaics on the interior floors.

11 Art Nouveau villas by Ciro Contini

Villa Melchiorri (1904)

This was the first of the residential villas on the new Viale Cavour. It is characterised by the ornamental element and in particular by the circle motif, which dominates in the entrance, together with the floral motif also present in the wrought iron gate.

Villa Amalia (1905)

The building is an expression of eclectic aesthetics, characteristic of the Umbertine era. The name echoes that of Amalia Torri, wife of the patron. The villa stands out for its decorative refinement, thanks to the combination of different materials such as stucco, iron and ceramics.

Villa Masieri Finotti (1907-1908)

Commissioned by Teresa Masieri, right from the façade it reveals its adherence to the Mitteleuropean Jugendstil, through the combination of different materials and phytomorphic decorations.

12 Air Force Building

G. Gandini, 1935-1937

The building with a rationalist character, commissioned by Italo Balbo, is one of the main buildings of Ferrara's twentieth-century renovation. One of its distinguishing features is the location of the main entrance on the corner of the junction between Viale Cavour and Via Ariosto. It is precisely that corner, rounded, that is the pivot of the entire building. Lacking a single true representative façade, the Palazzo was conceived to be seen in perspective from viale Cavour, a true showcase of modern Ferrara.

13 Ex Casa del Fascio

G. Gandini (1928-1930)

The Casa del Fascio was inaugurated on 23 February 1931 in the presence of Italo Balbo, Podestà Renzo Ravenna and the highest local authorities. It originally comprised more than one hundred rooms, rising to a height of 17 metres and developing in a courtyard layout, with a central body, intended as the headquarters of the Fascist Party, and two side wings, reserved for the workers' and farmers' unions.

14 'Mario Poledrelli' State Primary School

G. Savonuzzi (1928)

The building displays a harmonious and rigorous appearance. It was built for school use, a destination it has maintained over time to this day. The façade has clear references to the Ferrara tradition, in both materials and forms, so much so that the building can be ascribed to that local hybrid style of the early 20th century, known as "neo-Estense' style.

15 Monumental aqueduct

C. Savonuzzi (1930-1932)

Like the tower of the 'Alda Costa' school, the aqueduct is 37 metres high, almost entirely made of reinforced concrete and, despite its size and materials, it shows a certain momentum and airiness, immediately distinguishing itself nationally among the works of the time. It is completed by the statue-fountain The Po and its tributaries (A. Minerbi) that recalls one of the founding myths of the city and its territory, that of Phaeton and the Eliads, to which the surrounding poplars also refer.